Friday, May 6, 2016

Tips for Turning 40 Gracefully and Momsanity Special Offer

I've watched many friends turn 40. We've partied, vacationed, gone out to eat, and celebrated big time. So, as my 40th approached, I was excited to be doing something completely different for my birthday. Running through the mud, climbing over walls, and swinging across monkey bars were just a few things on my list.

Some of the responses I got when I told my friends I was running the Spartan for my 40th?

I want to run through the mud and climb under barbed wire to celebrate my birthday. Yeah, right.

I’d love to celebrate with you, Pam, as long as it doesn’t involve climbing walls and monkey bars.

That sounds fun. This one was uttered sarcastically.

Why would you do that?

This is why. Because it was different. Because it made me feel alive. Because it was SO much fun to do something hard and look back to say, I did it. Well, actually, we did it, because without the help of three of my favorite people in the whole world, I wouldn't have been able to do it. The teamwork part was one of the best things about the day. WE did it. WE are Spartans.

The day started out super cold, but we forgot about the chill in the air after the first trek through a muddy pond about a quarter of a mile into the race. Our bodies were heating up in the gorgeous sunshine and the thrill of the crowd made our hearts so full. I knew right away I had made the right choice about what I wanted to do on my 40th! #thisis40

I also knew I had chosen the perfect people to race with me!

This was Justin's second Spartan Race so he knew a little about it going into the race. Blake and Amber are two of our best buddies. This was our first Spartan Race, and I am positive it is the first of many to come! Amber said it perfectly in her post on FB (with the pic on the left) after the run...

There aren't 3 people in the world that I'd rather have my back for 5.5 miles of trail running, mud trudging, and 24 obstacles! We definitely aren't this clean any more! We are Spartans!

And believe me, we literally had each other's backs! Without teamwork, we never would have made it to the end. Climbing over a six foot wall was one thing, but when we got to the eight footer? We were like acrobats in a circus performance, balancing on each other's backs to grab the top of the wall and hoist ourselves over. Without momsanity, I couldn't have completed 19 of the the 24 obstacles, including carrying a bucket of large rocks down a steep hill and back up, and lifting an atlas ball weighing 6o pounds. There was a time I would have looked at that bucket of rocks and said, no way, I don't have arm muscles. But knowing I can do a 15 minute momsanity workout using 15 pound (and sometimes even 20 pound) weights gave me the confidence to walk up to that bucket, grab it with gusto, and complete the challenge. It felt so good!!!

At the end of the day, there were a few things I knew for sure...

Turning 40 wasn't so bad.

My husband and my friends are awesome.

I am a lot stronger than I thought I was.

And on each of my birthdays going forward...

I want to try something new.

I want to do something that challenges me.

And I want to do that something with the people that I love.

We are Spartans!!!

Interested in joining momsanity? Want to learn how to work out harder, not longer? Momsanity has made me more muscular and fit than I've ever been in my life. Check out the special they have going on for one more day--join now and your first month is free with the code MOVING. You'll also be locked in at their special $20 per month rate. Join now before they increase their rate to $29 per month (which I would pay anyway since they are just THAT good!). You will have access to new workouts each month, Bible devotions, accountability, healthy recipes and tips on preparing nutritious meals for your family. You'll also get to be a part of their Facebook page where you can feel comfortable sharing your struggles and your successes with other moms going through the very same things! I cannot figure out why anyone wouldn't want all this! Check out their website today and message me if you have any questions.

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I am the wife of an amazing husband who is also a great father. We have three boys and a furry Golden Retriever. I don't have everything figured out, but I enjoy writing about life as I attempt to be a better wife, mom, friend, teacher, memory keeper, and decorator. In this blog, I share my journey.